Gary L. Tesch

Gary L. Tesch, 86, of Norman, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in Norman. A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at the First Christian Church (FCC) of Norman with the Rev. David Spain and the Rev. Harry Smith officiating. A reception at FCC will immediately follow the service. 

Gary was born August 23, 1936, in Rudd, Iowa, to Clarence and Mae Tesch. He moved with his parents to El Reno, Oklahoma, in 1942. Gary was a proud graduate of El Reno High School in 1954, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. He was a member of the State Bar of California and the Federal Bar Association. 

Following law school, Gary entered federal government services as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He remained in government service for 32 years, the last 25 of which he served as an attorney of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington. D.C. For five years prior to his retirement in 1993, he held the position of Deputy General Counsel at NASA Headquarters.

Gary was deeply involved as legal counsel in many of NASA’s projects including the Apollo program, the development of a space-based tracking system, the Space Shuttle program, the Hubble Space Telescope program, and numerous other scientific and exploratory missions. He was the senior counsel on the procurements comprising the Space Station and involved in resolving many of the legal issues resulting from the Challenger explosion. 

For his service to the Space Program, Gary received NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. He also held the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Executive. He was recognized as the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award of El Reno High School and also received the Norman Kiwanis Club’s George E. Hickson Fellow award for initiating and directing the Terrific Kids program in the Norman Public Schools. 

Gary married Jeanne Marsh in 1982 in El Reno. They resided in Ft. Washington, Maryland, until his retirement when they moved to Norman in 1993.

Gary was a member of First Christian Church of Norman where he served as a deacon and was active in the choir, Discussion I, and Disciple V Bible Study. He enjoyed his church activities as well as OU sports, fishing, Kiwanis, music, travel, and getting together with the EHS “Men of ‘54” - his buddies since early schooldays. 

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and his son Kurt Tesch. He is survived by his wife Jeanne of the home, daughter Tara Forsburg and husband Gerry of Mt. Jackson, Virginia; daughter Meredith Masse and husband Don of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Ashley Withey and husband Justin, Mitch Forsburg, and A.J. Masse; and great grandchildren Judah and Esme Withey. 

The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to First Christian Church, 220 South Webster, Norman, OK 73069, or to Food and Shelter for Friends, Inc. 201 Reed Avenue, Norman, OK 73071.

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